Dye-fixing element for color diffusion transfer process, and image-forming method using the same

Abstract

A dye-fixing element for color diffusion transfer process, having an ultraviolet-absorbing layer that contains an ultraviolet absorber in a coating amount of 0.2 g/m 2 or more, over a mordant layer; and containing, as at least one dispersion medium for the ultraviolet absorber, a compound represented by formula (1), in a ratio (mass ratio) of 25 to 200% of the ultraviolet absorber; with the sum of coating amounts of the ultraviolet absorber and total dispersion medium for the ultraviolet absorber being 1.0 g/m 2 or less; wherein x and y each represent a molar fraction of each recurring unit, the total of x and y is 1, and y ranges from 0.85 to 0.95.

What I claim is:  
     
       1. A dye-fixing element for color diffusion transfer process, having an ultraviolet-absorbing layer that contains an ultraviolet absorber in a coating amount of 0.2 g/m 2  or more, over a mordant layer; and containing, as at least one dispersion medium for the ultraviolet absorber, a compound represented by formula (1), in a ratio (mass ratio) of 25 to 200% of the ultraviolet absorber; with the sum of coating amounts of the ultraviolet absorber and total dispersion medium contained for the ultraviolet absorber being 1.0 g/m 2  or less;                    
       wherein x and y each represent a molar fraction of each recurring unit, the total of x and y is 1, and y ranges from 0.85 to 0.95. 
     
     
       2. The dye-fixing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet-absorbing layer contains a water-soluble polymer, as a binder, in an amount of 50 to 200% of the sum of masses of the ultraviolet absorber and total dispersion medium. 
     
     
       3. The dye-fixing element according to  claim 2 , wherein 50 to 100% of the water-soluble polymer used as a binder in the ultraviolet-absorbing layer is a gelatin. 
     
     
       4. The dye-fixing element according to  claim 1 , which is used in a heat-developable color diffusion transfer method. 
     
     
       5. The dye-fixing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet-absorbing layer is arranged between protective layers, or between a protective layer and a dye fixing layer. 
     
     
       6. The dye-fixing element according to  claim 1 , wherein a mass average molecular mass of the compound represented by the formula (1) is from 300 to 5,000. 
     
     
       7. An image-forming method, comprising subjecting a photosensitive material to imagewise exposure to light, and using a dye-fixing element and the exposed photosensitive material in combination, wherein the dye-fixing element has an ultraviolet-absorbing layer containing an ultraviolet absorber in a coating amount of 0.2 g/m 2  or more, over a mordant layer; and contains, as at least one dispersion medium for the ultraviolet absorber, a compound represented by formula (1), in a ratio (mass ratio) of 25 to 200% of the ultraviolet absorber; with the sum of coating amounts of the ultraviolet absorber and total dispersion medium contained for the ultraviolet absorber being 1.0 g/m 2  or less;                    
       wherein x and y each represent a molar fraction of each recurring unit, the total of x and y is 1, and y ranges from 0.85 to 0.95. 
     
     
       8. The image-forming method according to  claim 7 , wherein the ultraviolet-absorbing layer contains a water-soluble polymer, as a binder, in an amount of 50 to 200% of the sum of masses of the ultraviolet absorber and total dispersion medium. 
     
     
       9. The image-forming method according to  claim 8 , wherein 50 to 100% of the water-soluble polymer used as a binder in the ultraviolet-absorbing layer is a gelatin. 
     
     
       10. The image-forming method according to  claim 7 , wherein the ultraviolet-absorbing layer is arranged between protective layers, or between a protective layer and a dye fixing layer. 
     
     
       11. The image-forming method according to  claim 7 , wherein a mass average molecular mass of the compound represented by the formula (1) is from 300 to 5,000.